Door actuator simplified

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Nov 14, 2018 | 04:54 PM

Bocatrip

Thread Starter

Lead Lap

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 3,682

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Door actuator simplified

Hi There, I'm been on this forum since 2006 and just until now, my passenger side door actuator went south. I know there are a zillion threads/posts on this subject. My question is simply this.....My drivers door is affected but can be locked by key and sometimes by the key fob. Is there anyway to repair the actuator without spending 300-400 dollars? Base model without soft touch.. I've had my car for 9 years and repairs are still over the top expensive and I'm trying to save a few bucks. I can always open and close my door with my key but like my car up to the minute. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks all. PS..... sorry I didn't do a search to read all the posts on this subject.

Nov 14, 2018 | 06:13 PM

911LE

Instructor

Joined: Dec 2015

Posts: 878

Likes: 232

From: Arizona

If you don't want to do anything yourself then it's going to be expensive if you want everything functional. New parts are about $900 without labor. DIY is about $7 per door. Diy labor is less than 1 hour per door.

Nov 14, 2018 | 06:34 PM

jherr

Rookie

Joined: Jun 2018

Posts: 85

Likes: 6

From: Texas

If it’s the lock actuator you are talking about, yes it is usually the motor gone bad. That can be replaced for under $10 if you do the work yourself.

I’ve replaced 3 of the motors myself, 1 front and 2 back. Apparently the previous owner had the driver’s replaced at the dealership for a bundle.

You can find the necessary info in the other posts on the subject. If you do try to do it yourself, make sure you reconnect the rod to the door handle prior to closing the door. Otherwise it may be impossible to open the door.

Nov 14, 2018 | 07:25 PM

Romanova

Racer

Joined: Jan 2017

Posts: 1,975

Likes: 820

From: TX

If you choose to DIY, here is the motor you need

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BYD0QVK/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_9?smid=A15UWYNJPJ88NF&psc=1

If you look on eBay, this vendor sells remans https://www.ebay.com/usr/actuatorplu...p2047675.l2559

You can and should tackle this repair yourself with support from this great forum.

Nov 14, 2018 | 08:32 PM

NL5

Driver

Joined: Jun 2017

Posts: 101

Likes: 22

From: Wa

I replaced the entire unit on my driver's door. The part was around $100 iirc. Took less than an hour, and was pretty easy to do. Some are replacing the motor only. Looked like a bit more work, but is super cheap as stated above.

Nov 15, 2018 | 05:22 AM

Johnhav430

Lexus Test Driver

Joined: Sep 2016

Posts: 8,575

Likes: 391

From: PA

I have not done it myself (ugh yet), but the dealership that sold me the car did it for free on driver side, and they physically had possession of the car for about 25 min., and they were a GMC dealership, so I think to myself how hard can it be (25 mos. later still works fine).

I actually don't trust the LS430 when it comes to actuators, so at least once every 2-3 weeks, I go out to the car, without the fob, and pull all 4 doors, to make sure nothing is unlocked. I wonder how long before I bought my car, that the driver door did not function....even the salesman said can't be, I drove your car home a couple of times and locked it....(they hear the click and don't realize the driver door is doing nothing at all)

I can even afford imho to buy an aftermarket actuator, I might not get into rebuilding...